viii, 238 pages : 23 cm

"Mendelssohn was one of music's greatest child prodigies. This book roots his early years firmly in the cultural and familial histories that shaped his childhood: the rise of his grandfather, Moses, from obscure poverty to international renown as a philosopher; his aunts' leading role in turn-of-the-century salon culture; his father's career as one of Berlin's most successful bankers. At the same time, this book confronts head-on the myth that Mendelssohn's was a happy, untroubled existence. The composer's last decade was marked by ceaseless psychological turmoil, torn between a staggering performance schedule and a yearning to dedicate his life exclusively to the wife and children he adored, and to the compositional drive that was too often neglected." "Famous for a handful of compositions that continue to sparkle with originality, Mendelssohn was also a great advocate of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven and his championing of these composers has shaped the repertoire of concert halls today."

"In this new biography Peter Mercer-Taylor traces Mendelssohn's brief but intense career as performer, scholar and composer, discussing the major musical works within the context of his working life and the rich cultural surroundings of nineteenth-century Europe."--Jacket

Includes bibliographical references (pages 216-218) and index

Beginnings -- The prodigy -- First maturity -- The Grand Tour -- Frustrations in Berlin and Düsseldorf -- Scaling the heights in Leipzig -- More frustrations in Berlin -- Endings

Beginnings -- The prodigy -- First maturity -- The Grand Tour -- Frustrations in Berlin and Dusseldorf -- Scaling the heights in Leipzig -- More frustrations in Berlin -- Endings

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